KC/^^ ^/ /^^ /a^, /7- /^ ^ / 



784 
3 
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THRILLING AND EXCITING mmm/£ 



OF THE 



SOFFEBIiS ANl iSRIBI.E TOBTUSIS 

INFLICTED ON 

MORTIMER BOWERS A.ND MISS SOPHIA DELAPLAIN, 

For a supposed participation with Gen. Lopez in 

TH,'=: TORTURES BEING INFLICTED TO ELICIT INFORMATION RELATING TO 
THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ISLAND. 





THE LAST INTBRVIBW BETWEEN MISS i^ELAPLAIN AND HER FATHER 



CHARLESTON, S. C: 

PUBLISSED BY K E. BARCLAY; 11 B. CROSSON & CO. 

1861. 




7 



A 
THRILLING AND EXCITING ACCOUNT 

OP THE 

SOFFERINOS AND HORRIBLE TORTORES 

INFLICTED ON 

MOETIMER BOWERS 

AND 

MISS SOPHIA DELAPLAIN, 

BY THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES, 

FOR 

A SUPPOSED PARTICIPATION WITH GEN. LOPEZ 

IN 

THE INVASION OF CUBA; 

TOGETHER WITH THE 

PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN OF LOPEZ. 



IT IS SUPPOSED THAT THE SPANIARDS VENTURED TO MALTREAT THE TWO INNOCENT 

PERSONS SPOKEN OF IN THIS NARRATIVE, ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR ISOLATED 

CONDITION, ON A REMOTE PART OF THE ISLAND, AND OWING TO THE 

IMPRESSION THAT THEIR INCARCERATION AND TREATMENT 

WOULD NEVER BE MADE KNOWN IN THE UNITED 

STATES, THE TORTURES BEING INFLICTED 

TO ELICIT INFORMATION RELATING 



^^ 



TO 

THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ISLAND. 



BY MISS DELAPLAIN. N^/^^^ 



CHARLESTON, S. C: 




<:hy of 



up- 



PUBLISHED BY E. E. BARCLAY; M. B. CROSSON & CO,. 
185L 






Eiitered according to Act of Congress, m the year 1850, by E. E. Barclay, in th« 
Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 






SUFFERINGS iND TORTURES 



OF 



MOBTIMER BOWERS AND SOPHIA DELAPLAIN. 



v>AAri/wwww\r«/wv 



' The invasion of tli6 Island of Cuba by Gen. Lopez, is fraugli 
w*th many incidents which never have been, and I presume never 
will be, laid before the eye of the public. 

On my return from that Island, on effecting my escape from the 
worse than demons who held me in bondage, the relation of my 
strange abduction, and the tortures and privations to which I had 
been subjected, excited such an interest in many of the most influen- 
tit,l citizens of Baltimore, (Baltimore being the place at which I 
landed on my return,) that, at the earnest solicitation of those citi- 
zens, I have been induced to transcribe an account of my adven- 
tures, for the benefit of all who choose to read them. 

My narrative will be found to contain many things characteristic 
of human nature, and it will prove in the highest degree salutary to 
the young and inexperienced. 

In order to give a just idea of the sacrifices which I have made, 
and the extent to which the confiding and unsuspecting female is 
capable of being wrought upon, it is necessary that I should begin 
with my early life and habits. 

My father was one of the most wealthy merchants of the city of 
New York, and I an only child and daughter. Our family resi- 
dence in town was in Broadway, and the house in which we resided 
is familiarly known as the Broadway Mansion. 

As a matter of course, I was the pet of my parents, and of all 
their acquaintances who sought to win their favour. My smallest 
"wish was immediately gratified, and thus I vas petted and fondled 
until I arrived at the age of six years. 



When I had turned my sixth year, it became necessary to take 
measures to provide for my education. ' A governess was procured, 
as ordinary in such cases, but so great was my waywardness, that 
she was under the necessity of paying implicit obedience to my 
commands, — and thus, the one who by right should have governed, 
was converted into the most pliant subject. I have since looked 
upon her in the light of a fawning sycophant, for not sometimes 
checking me in mj headstrong wiltlgilness. Considering, however, 
that she was under no injunction from my parents on that point, 
and that my parents did not themselves subject me to any restraint, 
I am inclined to the opinion, that, perhaps, she was excusable. 

When it pleased me I attended to my lessons, and when I was 
otherwise inclined, it was necessary to coax, or hire, or hold out 
some inducement to me, stronger than the inducement to remain 
idle, or not to attend to my ordinary task. I would never subject 
myself to a command. 

Among other things, as was perfectly natural, I was exceedingly 
fond of the society of the neighbour's children, and the play with 
them, of "All the way to Boston," or "We're marching forward to 
Quebec," was decidedly more agreeable than the dull monotony of 
"Webster's Easy Standard of Pronunciation," or "The Child's In- 
structor." It is not to be wondered at, then, that I sought the 
romp of these agreeable playmates in preference to the dull routine 
of study. 

Among my youthful associates was a boy, a year or twe^ older 
than myself, and residing next door to the Broadway Mansion. 
This little fellow was my particular favourite, on account of the 
mildness of his disposition, and the beauty of his features. His 
hair was of the pure auburn, and fell in natural glossy ringlets 
upon a neck whose lily hue told that the sons of Africa, the Spanish 
Moor, the Eastern Celestial, or the Aboriginal American, could 
claim no affinity. Nothing but the pure Circassian blood flowed 
there. And then he was so kind. Even at that tender age, he 
was always ready to administer to my slightest wish, and to do 
every thing to please me. His eye, the index of the soul, told 
that his mind was in perfect accordance with the beauty of his per- 
son. 

The parents of this youth were in circumstances very different 
from my own. They were poor, and under the necessity of prose- 
cuting business energetically, in order, as the saying is, "To keep 
themselves up in the world." '^ 

As the youth to whom I have alluded is to occupy a conspicuous 
place in this narrative, it may be well to announce to my readers 
that he was known under the name of Mortimer Bowers, or, fami- 
liarly at that time, to his playmates, "Little Mortimer." : 

Time thus passed on, until I arrived at the age of twelve years, 
when it was deemed advisable to send me to a boarding-schooL 



After eome consultation, it was determined to send me to St, Aim'i 
Hall, located at the romantic village of Flushing, on Long Island 
— then under the superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Schroeder. 

Strange to relate, my state of mind was such that I felt not the 
least regret on leaving my home, although I kissed my playmates 
affectionately when I bade them adieu, and even condescended to 
-shake hands with my governess. 

My parents accompanied me to the Institution at which I was 
destined to finish my education, and we met with a very gentle- 
manly reception from the Superintendent. I was so well pleased 
with the ^deportment of Dr. Schroeder, who was to be my future 
guardian, that when my parents took their leave, I kissed them 
with a merry laugh, although my mother dropped a tear, as she 
resigned me to the Doctor's family. 

Although I was well pleased with my reception at the Hall, I 
soon discovered that there was a place of order, and instead of com- 
manding, it was necessary that I should become the subject. This, 
to me, was a severe trial, and oft-times, when I had been repri- 
manded for some misdemeanour, would I retire to my room, and 
weep for hours. On these occasions my thoughts would vividly 
portray to me those scenes connected with my home : the swing in 
the old garret, the yard filled with flowers, my former playmates, 
and particularly the image of "Little Mortimer," would come up 
in life-like reality before me. 

The change in my condition, however, was somewhat alleviated 
by the privilege allowed us by our Superintendant, of walking out 
each afternoon for the purpose of recreation, and of viewing the 
beauties of the village in which my parents had pkced me. Flush- 
ing is, undoubtedly, one of the most romantic and delightful vil- 
lages on Long Island. The flower gardens of the Messrs. Prince, 
the nurseries of the Parsons, of Bloodgood, of King, and the grounds 
of St. Thomas's Hall, are all objects calculated to excite our interest 
and admiration. And then the beautiful country sites, and farms 
in the vicinity, — more particularly on the roads leading to Clinton- 
ville, to Manhasset, and to Jamaica. In fact, one cannot walk or 
ride in or near the village of Flushing, without witnessing some- 
thing calculated to dispel the most gloomy feelings. 

The enchanting objects which I have mentioned, compensated 
measurably for the restrictions under which I was placed at the 
Hall, — still, my memory would steal back to former times, and I 
would often long to hold an intercourse with my former comrades. 
But how should I hold a communication unknown to the Superin- 
tendent ? This thought puzzled me, as no letter was allowed to 
pass from the Institution without first being scrutinized by him. I 
ardently desired to hear from Mortimer, and I at length set my 
wits to work, to devise some plan of holding a private correspon- 
dence with him. I conversed with my school-mates on the subject 



of letter writing, and did not hesitate to express a wisLthat oui 
letters might not be read by him. , . , 

On expressing this wish, several of the older pupils eyed me with 
particular attention, and it was not long before I received a parti- 
cular invitation from one of them to visit her in her apartment at 
an hour specified. , i . , t n j 

At the hour appointed I repaired to her room, m which 1 tound 
some half a dozen or so of the girls congregated. On my entrance, 
there were sundry knowing looks passed between them, and they 
immediately began to quiz me as to the reason why I wished to 
hold a private correspondence. My answers, of course, were all 
evasive. Enough, hqjvever, was elicited by them to know that I 
was fixed and determined on the point. The conference wound up 
by their telling me, that if I could keep a secret, I was at liberty 
to meet them again at another specified time. The truth now 
flashed upon me, that they had some plan to communicate, and I 
promised faithfully that I would meet them again, and that the se- 
cret, whatever it might be, should be faithfully kept. 

On the third succeeding night, which was the time appointed for 
our second meeting, we again congregated in the same cham- 
ber. I was now put under a solemn pledge, that whatever they 
might communicate, should not be divulged by me. 

They then went on to state, that they kept one of the servants 
in their interest by giving him certain bribes, and that if I felt dis- 
posed to contribute to the necessary fund, I might become one of 
their number, and share in the benefits of their association. 

I did not hesitate to accede to the proposal. It was therefore 
agreed that I should contribute a certain sum out of the pocket 
money allowed me by my parents, as was done by the rest of them, 
— the amount of the contributions being punctually paid over at 
stated times, to the servant who transacted the private business, in 
the way of passing letters, &c. 

After becoming initiated into this private association, I found no 
difiiculty in gettifig up a correspondence in any quarter. I imme- 
diately wrote to Mortimer, requesting information relating to cer- 
tain things in town, but did not intimate that I had any particular 
afi'ection for him, giving him, at the same time, my fictitious ad- 
dress, which address was necessary, in order to screen the matter 
from our Superintendent, and known only to myself, -my correspon- 
dents, the members of our association, and the servant whom we 
had enlisted in our behalf. 

The first reply which I received from Mortimer, I beg leave to 
insert here, as showing the true state of his feeling towards me. It 
reads thus : # 



"Dear Sophia, — 

"I have written to you on several occasions, but from some cause 
you have not received my letters, or else you have not condescended 
to answer them. You cannot imagine how I was transported on 
the receipt of the one to which I am about to reply. When I broke 
the seal, and discovered your signature, I kissed it again and again. 
I only wish I could see the writer, and impress as many kisses upon 
her lips as I imprinted upon the letter. 

" Sophia, although I am but a boy, scarcely turned the age of 
sixteen, I love you. I love you with a pure, a fervent, and a holy 
love. You are every thing to me, and without you I am nothing. 
If you ever return to the city, you shall see how faithfully, how de- 
votedly I wilPserve you. 

" Forgive me, Sophia, for thus early avowing my sentiments ; 
but, I am aware that beauty like yours must win many suitors. It 
is, therefore, not safe for me that you should remain ignorant of 
my sentiments towards you. Those raven locks, those sparkling 
eyes, that sylph-like form, combining grace and dignity in the 
girl, are only the prelude, or evidence of superior beauty in the 
woman. 

'•^ Sophia, accept of me aS'One of your suitors, and if I am the for- 
tunate one, the happiness that is in store for me ! 

"In the exuberance of my feelings, I had almost forgotten to re- 
ply to the various questions which you have asked in your kind 
letter. Martha Steward has gone to West Chester to live with her 
uncle ; Mary Bingham has gone to Jersey City ; and Sarah Alstead 
has gone to the Female Seminary of Miss Adrain, at Jamaica, 
Long Island; John Stillman has entered the junior class at Co- 
lumbia College in this city. The rest of our old playmates are in 
town, engaged in various avocations. 

"Write tome, Sophia, whenever you can get the opportunity, 
and believe me, 

"Yours, now and for ever, 

"Mortimer Bowers." 

On the receipt of the above letter from Bowers, I made no further 
effort to conceal my preference for him ; consequently, it was not 
long before we fully understood each other. 

Subsequent to the time of which I have been writing, I remained 
at the Seminary of Dr. Schroeder, for the space of two years,^ at 
the expiration of which time my parents considered my education 
sufficiently complete, and I was called to toi^Ti to make my dehut 
in the heau mondes. 

On the evening of my return to New York, my parents proposed 
to give a grand fete at the Broadway Mansion. The evening fixed 
upon was the 31st December, 1847. My parents in this case took 
the j^spojjsibility of inviting such guests as they intended for mj 



future associates. Whetlier they acted prudently oi* not, shall be 
left for the reader to judge. 

On my arrival at the Mansion, I found it brilliantly lighted, and- 
every thing prepared in accordance with the circumstances of m.y 
father. I retired immediately to my dressing room, and having 
arranged my toilet to my satisfaction, descended to the parlor. 
Here I found myself surrounded by all the aristocracy of the city, 
and those who were not already acquainted eagerly sought the ho- 
nour of an introductiouc I was courted and flattered by every one, 
still I was ill at ease. My eyes wandered over the assembly in vain, 
in search of one who was dearer to me than all, — ^^but he was not 
there. The only way in which I could account for his absence, was 
that he had not received an invitation. I ventured to ask my fa- 
ther if such were the case. He replied, coldly, that he did not wish 
his daughter to countenance young men of the standing of the one 
to whom I alluded. 

This piece of information went like an arrow to my heart. The 
idea that for the future Bowers and myself were not to associate 
with each other, when hitherto we had thought ourselves living for 
e-ach other alone ! 

The remainder of the evening had no charms for me. I could 
not enter with spirit into any of the amusements, but merely talked 
and moved mechanically. 

When the company had dispersed, I retired to my chamber de- 
pressed in spirits, with gloomy apprehensions for the future, and 
almost for the first time in my life I fell upon my knees, and prayed 
in the fervency of the spirit. I then threw myself upon my pillow 
and wept. Sleep only came to my relief, but even that relief was 
partial. Representation of deeds of horror haunted me in my 
dreams. Subsequent, or recent events, have but too fully proved 
those dreams to have been .ominous of the future. 

In my dreams I saw Bowers and myself in almost every kind of 
imaginary danger. At one time we were on the brink of a preci- 
pice, at another we were suffering shipwreck ; and again, we were 
in the midst of the flames. 

I rose in the morning with swollen eyes, and with an uncommon 
pain in the head. I made my toilet, descended to the breakfast 
table, and after partaking of a cup of tea, felt somewhat revived. 

After breakfast, the first thing which I did was to address a note 
to Bowers, stating my arrival in tov^n, giving an account of the en- 
tertainment on the previous night, and expressing my disappoint- 
ment at not finding him there. 

I also informed him of the remark made by my father, when I 
inquired the cause of his absence, and of the consequent necessity 
of holding our interviews in private, knowing my father's disposi- 
tion too well to suppose for a moment that he could be made to re- 
lent, when he had a fixed purpose in view. Although he had for- 



merly h^m. indulgent to me in the extreme, I understood him suffi* 
oiently well to know that when his determination was fixed there 
was no alternative. 

A series of private interviews were therefore my only hope. I 
was under the necessity of watching the movements of my father, 
in order to screen these interviews from his observation, and to lull 
him into security in an^ case of suspicion. At the same time, I 
took every favourable opportunity of speaking of the good qualities 
of Bowers, and of watching the expression of the old man's counte- 
Dance whenever those qualities were the subject of comment. 

I noticed that on all such occasions the countenance of the old 
man assumed one of its darkest hues. "Eagles must sleep in an 
eagle's nest," he would say. "Let Bowers seek a wife in his own 
sphere." 

Finding that my father absolutely refused to countenance any 
thing that might be said in favour of Bowers, I at length ceased to 
make his name the subject of conversation, in the presence of the 
old gentleman. 

Our private meetings were still continued, and they mostly took 
place in the evening, after the old man had retired to rest. It was 
his invariable custom to retire at nine o'clock. During the re- 
mainder of the evening I was left at liberty to act according to my 
pleasure, without fear of restraint, so long as suspicion was not ex- 
cited. 

Bowers and myself generally contrived to spend an hour or two 
in the way of conversation and promenading, during several even- 
ings of each week. Sometimes we would take a stroll on the Bat- 
tery, and occasionally we would venture at the Museum. Policy 
required that we should not frequent public places in each other's 
society, as our association in such cases would soon become the sub- 
ject of remark, and consequently reach the ears of my parents. 

As already stated, I had the evenings mostly to myself after tjie 
hour of nine : my mother generally retiring at or before the time 
observed by my father, the delicate state of her health making it 
necessary for her so to do. 

In the mean time I had many other suitors, whom, to please my 
parents, I alwaj's treated with courtesy and politeness, taking care, 
at the same time, that they should never trespass upon my appoint- 
ments with Bowers. 

The servants at home I managed to keep in my interest, so that 
I did not hesitate, on various occasions, to entertain Bowers in the 
parlor of the Mansion, after the old people had retired to rest. 

On one occasion, my father, either by accident or design, rose 
about an hour after he had retired, and made his way softly and 
silently to the parlour. There was no intimation of his approach, 
He opened the parlor door, and caught Bowers and myself in one 
of our most agreeable tete a tetes. He threw the door wide open, 



gazed upon us for a moment with an eye of scorn, and then turne<J 
away. 

I trembled as I watched his departing footsteps, well knowing 
that the storm was now about to burst. 

The next morning the old man did not make his appearance at 
the breakfast table, and my mother, when she presented herself, 
was in tears. 

My father had ordered a cup of coffee to be brought to his cham- 
ber, and after our meal was over, I was summoned into his pre- 
sence. 

I obeyed the summons, and on entering the chamber, he calmly 
and silently pointed to a chair. His look was so cold and destitute 
of feeling, that I sank down with a shudder. After sipping his 
coffee awhile, he commenced — 

"Sophia," said he, "you are my only child. I have educated 
and brought you up in a way befitting my circumstances, and I 
have a right to expect in return, that you will show your gratitude, 
by associating with such persons only as are calculated to sustain 
the dignity of our family. With this object in view, on your re- 
turn to town, I introduced you to the society of all the elite of the 
city. I also told you, on the night of your return, that I did not 
wish you to associate with any, except those of a certain class. In 
what manner have you complied with my request ? 

"If I am correctly informed, since your return to this place, and 
introduction to the world, you have sought the society, and culti- 
vated the acquaintance, almost exclusively, of this Mortimer Bowers. 
And who is Mortimer Bowers? A young man without fortune, 
without friends, and whose parents are in so straitened circum- 
stances, that they with difficulty sustain themselves. 

" Sophia, think not for a moment that I will consent to a union 
with such a family. On this point I must be obeyed. Deceive not 
yourself. 

" I have now to request of you, that you discard this Bowers for 
ever, and I have also to inform you, that unless you comply with 
my request, you are to leave my roof immediately. 

" Sophia, we live it is true, under what we call a republican form 
of government ; but, our democracy exists only in imagination. It 
is merely a name, to tickle the fancy of the mob. 

" We have our patricians and our plebians. Bowers belongs to 
the class of plebians, and his proper place is obscurity. You, So- 
phia, belong to the order of patricians, and with correct deportment 
on your part, your beauty and your talents, wiU obtain for you a 
place in the centre of the circle of attraction. 

" Sophia, I will give you three days to decide on your future 
course, at the expiration of which time I expect your answer. You 
may now retire.'* 



I listened to tMs address of the old gentleman with downcast 
eyes, and in the most perfect silence. At the conclusion, I saw 
that the crisis had come. Despair gave me energy. I threw myself 
at my father's feet, and with a flood of tears, besought him that he 
would listen to me. He answered not a word. I then went into a 
vindication of my course of conduct, commented on the virtues of 
Mortimer Bowers, spoke of his superior education, as an oflf-set to 
his lack of fortune, and concluded by intimating, that although 
Bowers himself were poor, yet, if my father would sanction our 
union, the wealth of our family was sufficient for both — and, in the 
most suppliant manner, I besought him to change his purpose. 

When I had concluded, the old man looked at me for a moment, 
then thrusting me from him with a repulsive hand, said he expected 
my answer at the expiration of the three days. 

With a heavy heart, I left that chamber, and retired to my 
own. 

I again bent the knee in prayer, and earnestly did I pray that 
the evils which threatened me might be averted. Still, I could not 
prevail upon myself to submit to the dictates of my parent. 

After having to some extent composed myself, I threw on my 
bonnet, drew my wrapper about me, and went in search of Morti- 
mer. I learned that he had gone to Wall Street on some business, 
and that he did not expect to return until afternoon. 

I returned again to the Mansion, and after some further prepa- 
rations, strolled down Broadway, in the hopes of meeting Bowers 
on his return. I met him as I had anticipated, and on taking his 
arm, and turning in the direction in which he was going, I related 
to him the occurrences of the morning. 

When I had finished. Bowers, extending his arm about my waist, 
and taking my hand in his, bent upon me one of his tenderest 
looks, and replied to the following effect — 

" Sophy, dear, you know that you are all and every thing to me, 
— and it is a matter, in my mind, of the most sincere regret, that I 
am poor. I would not seek, dearest, to influence you in your deci- 
sion, and the answer to the old gentleman. If you come to the 
conclusion that you will discard me, affluence for the future will 
undoubtedly be yours. If you resign all the attendant pleasures 
and comforts of wealth for my sake, I can only promise you, Sophy, 
that I will do all in my power to make you happy. If, however, 
you refuse to unite yourself with me, either at the present, or at 
some future time, all happiness for me is fled. I shall hope no 
more. What will life be to me, if the sole object for which I have 
lived is about to be torn away, or irrevocably lost?"» 

At this point of the conversation we had arrived opposite the 
Mansion, and we separated with the understanding that we should 
gee each other again in the evening. 



When I entered the house, I went immediately to my chamber, 
and packed up such portions of my wardrobe as were the most in- 
dispensable, in order to be prepared for any emergency — as I had 
already resolved in my own mind, that I would share the fortunes 
of Bowers, let the result be what it might. 

As the evening approached I prepared myself for a walk, and 
kept a look-out for the appearance of Mortimer. He did not ap- 
pear so soon as I expected. The shades of night had fallen, and 
the moon had thrown her "silver mantle o'er the dark," and yet 
Bowers did not appear. 

Solitary and alone I sat in the front parlor, with the window 
half closed, anxiously scrutinizing the passers by, in the hopes that 
the next one might be Bowers himself. The moments dragged 
heavily away, and I had almost come to the conclusion that he in- 
tended to forsake me. 

A light tap at the window at length told me that he was at 
hand. 

In a moment I was at his side. 

"Forgive me, dearest," he whispered, "for keeping yoii so long 
in waiting, — but I have been detained in a very serious case. As 
I was preparing to meet my appointment with you, my mother was 
seized with a sudden attack of cholera, and I was under the neces- 
sity of remaining to attend upon her. I stole myself away as soon 
as I could leave her with safety." 

This explanation of Mortimer relating to his tardiness, was satis- 
factory, and I hesitated not to give him my entire confidence. 

We directed our steps to the Battery, as being the most suitable 
place for our promenade, as we arranged matters for the future. 

Bowers commenced the subject by asking me whether I had come 
to any conclusion. I told him, candidly and decidedly, that I had 
resolved never to wed with any, except with himself, — that I would 
share his fortunes, whatever they might be, and that if my father 
persisted in his resolution, we could but live or die together. 

When I had stated my determination. Bowers was so transported 
that he seemed for the moment to have lost his senses ; and it was 
with difficulty that I prevented him from kneeling to me, even in 
the street. I suggested the idea of observing a little propriety, and 
he was obliged to content himself by imprinting a kiss upon my 
hand. 

"Dearest Sophy," he replied, "this is more than I had a right 
to expect, but, since you are willing to resign all for me, I pledge 
myself, as a man of honour, that no efibrt shall be wanting on my 
part to make you as happy as my circumstances will admit." 

I told him, that poverty with him was preferable to wealth and 
luxmy without him. 

We then took into consideration the prospect for the future, and 
the question was asked whether it were not possible to appease my 



lather to such an extent, that he would not put his threat into exe- 
cution, of turning me out of doors. 

At one time it was proposed that I should apparently accede to 
his wishes, bj seeming to discard Mortimer, and that we should 
manage to continue our clandestine meetings upon a different plan 
from that which we had formerly pursued. It was then again pro- 
posed that we should elope immediately, before the old man had 
put his threat into execution, and trust to time to bring about a 
reconciliation, — and again, it was suggested that we should bide 
the expiration of the three days, and that I should then acquaint 
my parent with my determination, and throw myself upon his 
mercy. 

The first of these propositions was rejected, on account of the 
supposition that, for the future, I would be watched mth. the utmost 
vigilance, and, therefore, we should have but few opportunities of 
seeing each other. 

The second was thought to possess no particular advantage, and, 
consequently, we concluded to adopt the third. 

Accordingly, at the expiration of ike allotted time, I was sum- 
moned again into my father's presence. I entered his room with 
a firm and determined step, though not with a disrespectful air. 

He drew a chair, and requested me to be seated. Before asking 
my decision, he addressed me to this efiect- — 

^' Sophia, you cannot suppose for a moment, that I, as a father, 
Can entertain any but the kindest feelings towards you, or that I 
would not do any thing calculated to advance your happiness, con- 
sistent with the dignity of my family. I know it is sometimes the 
case that young ladies set their aiiections on a particular suitor, 
and exclude the more worthy, whether such conduct meet the appro- 
bation of their parents or not, ^ 

"I am confident, dear Sophy, that upon reflection you have de- 
cided in accordance with the dignity of your family, and that you. 
have determined to select a husband from among the many v^T-althy 
suitors who are candidates for your favour." 

When the old man had finished, I again knelt before him. I 
told him that I ought not to suppose him capable of doing any 
thing to make me miserable, more particularly as I was his only 
child, and that I was fully sensible I ought to subject myself to 
his guidance to any reasonable extent, — but, that the subject of 
matrimony was one in which every lady should have some choice 
of her own, as marriage was an event calculated to deteimine the 
happiness or misery of a whole life. 

I told him that I had had a preference for Mortimer from his 
boyhood", — that I had never seen any who could compete with 
him in point of physical or mental endowments, — that his reputa- 
tion was without a ^ain, and that his only misfortune Tvas in being 
poor, — a circumstance entirely beyond his control, being nothing 



more nor less tlian a dispensation of Providence, or the result of 
the laws of the country. 

In fine, I told the old man I could wed with none, except with 
Mortimer Bowers, — and I besought him, as he valued the happi- 
ness of his daughter, not to drive matters to the extreme which he 
had meditated. I promised obedience to him in every other thing, 
but, in the subject of matrimony I could not be controlled. 

When I had finished my reply, my father's face was livid with 
rage. He rose from his seat, paced the room a few times, then 
turned to me and said — 

" Sophia, the die is cast. Here is my purse, as I would not 
turn you pennyless upon the world. This purse contains sufficient 
to provide for your present wants. The future will depend upon 
yourself. You are no longer the heir of Samuel Delaplain. You 
will leave this mansion before the hour of twelve to-morrow. If, 
after that time, you are found within its walls, I shall take the. re- 
sponsibility of handing you into the street. Farewell." 

Thus the finale had presented itself, and it was now only left for 
me to obey the injunctions, and leave the house as soon as possible. 

I had arranged with Bowers, that after the interview "vyith my 
parent I should repair immediately to the Battery, where I should 
meet with him, that being the most convenient place of meeting, it 
lying in the direction of his business. 

On arriving at that place I found Bowers already in attendance. 
I communicated to him the result of my interview, and the neces- 
sity I was under of seeking a new home immediately. 

Bowers then informed me that the Ship Henry Clay was lying 
at the foot of Wall Street, and up for California, — that she was a 
staunch vessel, possessing every accommodation, and insured at the 
lowest rates, — that, as my father had driven me from his presence, 
he thought it advisable that we should seek our fortunes in the El 
Dorado of the West. 

The California fever was then raging at its height, and it is not 
to be wondered at that I should lend a willing ear to the proposi- 
tion of Mortimer. 

The novelty of the thing was also exciting in the highest degree, 
and I was soon enlisted in it, with all the ardour of my feelings. 
The voyage around the "Horn" was entirely uppermost in my 
imagination, — indeed, so absorbed was I in the matter, that what- 
ever regrets I might otherwise have felt, on being separated and 
driven from my home, under present circnmstances, I was entirely 
free from any melancholy feeling. 

In order to add to the interest of the adventure, I had a fancy of 
a^ppearing on ship-board, in the habiliments of the masculine gen- 
der. I suggested the idea to Bowers, and he, willing to assent to 
every thing to please me, made no objection. 

The ship was to sail on the succeeding day, and I, having the 



17o 

privilege of spending one more night at tlie Mansion, did not find 
it necessary to seek any other abode in town. Mortimer repaired 
immediately to the vessel, engaged our births, and paid the passage 
money. I was entered under the name of Harry Blain. 

Mortimer Bowers and Harry Blain were thus duly entered as 
passengers on board the Ship Henry Clay, destined for California, 
and intending to sail on the first of May, 1850. 

It is remarkable that neither Mortimer nor myself suggested the 
propriety of having the marriage ceremony performed before we 
left the shores of our native country. My attention was so much 
engaged in making preparation for the voyage, that the idea of the 
ceremony never occurred to me. - May Heaven forgive me, for it 
was not designedly omitted. 

With the contents of the purse which my father had given 'me, I 
found no difficulty in procuring the necessary male attire, and all 
other things required for the outfit, — and ere the sun had lighted 
up the horizon on the morning of the day on which my father had 
enjoined to leave the Mansion, I was dressed in the accoutrements 
of one of the B'hoys, and on my way to the wharf at which the 
ship was lying. I was accompanied thither by Mortimer of course. 

Our baggage was immediately taken on board, and we found 
ourselves in comfortable quarters. 

At the hour of 10, A. M., we hauled out from the dock, and the 
Steamer Osceola w^as ready to give us a tow beyond the Hook. 

As we were passing down the Bay, and I had a little time for 
reflection, I was for the first time led to realise the awkwardness 
of my position. I was on ship-board, in the company of Mortimer, 
and yet I was not legally his wife. I mentioned the oversight to 
him, and he, as well as myself, appeared exceedingly distressed. 
To make matters worse, I was dressed in male attire. No request 
could, therefore, be made of the captain on the subject, without 
subjecting ourselves to censure and disgrace, — even if an official 
could then be obtained to perform the ceremony, which was hardly 
probable. We therefore concluded to let matters remain as they 
were, feeling as though we belonged to each other, and that the 
ceremony was, at most, only a matter of form. 

We were now fully embarked. 

As no further occurrences of note transpired during our passage 
down the Bay, I shall make no other comment on this portion of 
©ur voyage. 

The Steamer Osceola left us outside the Hook, at about 6 o'clock, 
p. M., of the same day on which we had embarked. 

We now flung our canvass to the breeze, and stood forth into the 
broad expanse of the Atlantic. The wind was light, and so mucb 
to the south of East, that we were under the «iecessity of keeping 
our vessel closely trimmed, in order to bear away sufficiently fron 
the land. Our progress during the night was but small. 



On the morning of tlie second of May tlie weatlier was fair, the 
wind still continued light, and in the same direction. At about 
nine o'clock, a. m., we discovered a vessel at the south of us, and 
she immediately displayed a signal, which signal was promptly 
answered by the Henry Clay. A succession of signals were now 
displayed. The import of these, a portion of the crew, at any rate, 
did not understand. 

At the close of the signals, the captain ordered the ship to be put 
about, and kept in a direction north of east. 

This manouvre excited some surprise in Mortimer, as he expressed 
himself to me, saying that we were bearing sufficiently away from 
the land on our former course, and that now we were approaching 
the coast of Long Island. 

We stood on in this direction, until the coast of Long Island, 
with its breakers, in reality, appeared distinctly to our view. The 
ehip was again tacked, and run in a westerly direction, parallel 
with the coast. It was now on the afternoon of the 3d. The coast 
of Long Island is known to be a dangerous coast for vessels, — and 
as we sailed along, and viewed the breakers in the distance, the 
occurrence of the wrecks of the Bristol and the Mexico, were strongly 
pictured to the imagination. 

The movements of the captain were not understood, and he re- 
fused to give any explanation. 

At about three o'clock, p. M., the wind began to grow squally, 
and to blow directly from the south. Those who have resided on, 
or in the vicinity of Long Island, are perfectly familiar with the 
tremendous southerly winds which sometimes affect that coast. 
The captain began to evince considerable anxiety, and the wind 
rose by degrees to a perfect hurricane. 

Every thing was now in a scene of confusion. The breakers 
were on the lee-ward, and the tide and wind setting us directly in- 
ward. Some prayed, and others loaded the captain with impreca- 
tions and curses, for bringing his ship in that position. As for 
myself, I clung to the arm of Mortimer, according to his directions, 
— and the tears which I shed on that occasion did but little honour 
to the male attire. 

The wind continued to blow, and the breakers were now within a 
hundred yards of us. We every moment expected the ship to strike, 
when suddenly she seemed to be caught as if by an eddy, and she 
moved perceptibly to the windward. To increase our hopes, the 
gale somewhat abated, and the vessel bore up gallantly to the 
breeze. 

The change from despair to hope was so sudden, that there was 
now as much confusion from excess of joy, as there had recently 
been from excess of terror, — and three cheers for the good old ship 
were soon found to be" in order. 

The vessel continued to bite her way into the wind, until -we 



were secure from the phantoms of Death which beckoned ns to the 
lee-ward. 

The captain now condescended to assign a reason why he had 
not continued directly on his course. He said he had yet to re- 
ceive a portion of his cargo, for which purpose he intended to put 
in at the Breakwater, at the mouth of the Delaware, — that he did 
not wish to arrive there until all things were ready to come on 
board, — and that the signals which he had received from the vessel 
at the southward, v/ere intended to apprize him of the progress of 
matters in that quarter ; and that the said vessel would again tele- 
graph to him, when the cargo which he expected to receive at that 
point, should be prepared: and, also, that he intended to stand 
off and on the coast, until he should receive the proper informa- 
tion. 

This explanation was appltrently satisfactory to the greater por= 
tion of the crew; but Bowers suspected that all was not right. 
Prudence, however, forbade him to express himself to that effect. 
The captain was solicited by all hands to keep a little further from 
the shore, and thus the matter ended. 

After standing in a westerly direction for a while, we found our- 
selves nearly in the same position in which we were left by the 
steamer ; and, on tacking ship, we bore avf ay nearly in the same 
direction as we had taken on our first course. 

The wind was now bearing south-west, and the gale having de- 
creased to a good sailing breeze, the Henry Clay flew like a bird 
over the waters. On arriving at or near our first telegraph posi- 
tion, signals were again displayed, but, it appeared, with no better 
satisfaction to the captain, as he continued on his course. 

We were now sailing directly on the route to California. The 
wind was fair, and I regretted that we had again to turn back for 
the purpose of stopping at the capes. 

At about twelve o'clock on the night of the 4th, the captain 
changed his course, and stood in towards Cape Henlopen. At 
daylight he shot up a signal. This was immediately answered, and 
it appeared that all was right, as the ship was put into the Bay, 
and shortly after moored inside the Breakwater. 

Now came the remainder of the cargo, which was closely packed 
in boxes, and marked ''Sheetings," some with the stamp of the 
Powhattan Mills, and others marked "Lowell, Mass.," &c. 

Next followed a quantity of passengers, so many that our ship 
was literally crammed. The suspicion of Bowers was again awa- 
kened, but he communicated nothing except to myself. 

When all was on board, we tripped our anchor, and again bore 
away to the Atlantic. The circle described by our vessel as we 
sailed out the bay, was such as to give us a full view of the build- 
ings and bathing grounds at Cape May, the beautiful appearance 
of which is pecularly striking when viewed from the ocean. I 



200 

shall omit their description as not particularly connected with my 
story. 

I now anticipated that we were entirely cleared £or the gold 
mineSj and gave myself no apprehension for the future, — and, al- 
though we were closely stowed on board, we had made up our minds 
to be as cheerful as possible. 

On the night of the 4th we took the first comfortable sleep we 
had enjoyed since having been on board. The most of us had now 
no apprehensions. We little thought how soon apprehension was 
to be awakened. 

On the morning of the 5th, we noticed that arms were distributed 
to certain portions of the crew, and that the military drill was the 
order of the day. We noticed, ' also, that the arms were taken 
from the boxes received on board at the Breakwater. There was 
now no longer any doubt. Something was wrong. A perfect si- 
lence was observed with regard to all questions which were asked. 
We noticed that about two-thirds of the ship's company were arm- 
ed, and consequently were into the secret, whatever its nature 
might be. No information could be elicited on the day of the 5th. 

On the morning of the 6th, the drum beat to arms, — and all those 
who ivere armed assembled in proper order upon the deck. The 
captain then politely requested the remainder of the passengers to 
assemble on the quarter. 

We complied with his request, and on being assembled he deli- 
vered to us the following short address : — 

" Gentlemen, we suffered you to embark with us under the im- 
pression that you were going to California. This little deception 
was necessary on our part, otherwise we should not have been able 
to have escaped from the port. Our destination is Cuba. Since 
you have embarked on board our vessel, it is necessary that you 
should go along with us. If you will join in our expedition, we 
have arms sufficient for you. We would gladly have you to unite 
with us for the purpose of augmenting our numbers, and we have 
no doubt that our proposition will be acceptable to you, seeing that 
we are engaged in an enterprise intended to strike off the chains 
of slavery from the inhabitants of the island for which we are des- 
tined." 

At the conclusion of this address the passengers viewed each 
other, as if waiting for some one to reply. 
Bowers at length stepped forth. 
Addressing the captain, he spoke as follows : 

" If Captain Bainbridge will allow us the privilege of holding a 
private consultation for a few moments, we shall then be able to 
give him a definite answer." 



The captain assented to the proposition, and immediately with- 
drew to the forward deck. 

Upon consulting, it was found that the passengers were, en 
masse, opposed to the expedition to Cuba, and that they were de- 
termined, if possible, not to be drawn into it. The question then 
was, whether they would accept the arms. This was decided in 
the affirmative, — considering that we should be better able to take 
care of ourselves, with arms in our hands, than without them. It was 
agreed that we should apparently accede to the Captain's proposi- 
tion, and subsequently project measures for the future. 

The conclusion having been formed. Bowers walked forward, and 
told the Captain that we acceded to his proposition. 

Arms were then put into our hands, and we soon found ourselves 
drilling in martial order, upon the deck of the Henry Clay. 

Every man of the ship's company was now considered as fully 
enlisted in the enterprise, and every information relating to it was 
communicated without reserve. 

We were informed that the plan of Gen. Lopez was, to make a 
-descent upon the Island at three different points — that one of these 
points was at Cardenas, another at Trinidad, and the other (the 
one for which we were destined) was at St. Jago de Cuba. 

It was his design to land and establish himself at these points, 
inticipating that the presence of his troops at these different quar- 
ters, would encourage the people generally throughout the Island 
to revolt and flock to his standard. He supposed, also, that the 
Spanish troops garrisoned upon the island would be easily subdued 
after having enlisted the people in his favour. His plan appears 
ultimately to have failed, except so far as the landing of the troops 
at Cardenas was concerned. So easily are frustrated the designs 
of man. 

The destination of our company, then, was St. Jago de Cuba, si- 
tuated on the southern extremity of the Island. 

All was now quiet on ship-board, and, to a superficial observer, 
every thing appeared to be going on well. The officers devoted 
their whole attention to perfecting the skill of the men in the use 
of their arms, — and Bowers, on account of his noble bearing, and 
the precision with which he went through the various drills, was 
promoted to the rank of Captain, — a circumstance which excited 
no little pride in me, although it would have been impossible to 
raise him higher in my estimation than he abeady stood. 

Although every one was outwardly submissive to the officers 
commanding the expedition, yet, there might be seen, whenever 
opportunity presented itself, small congregations of that portion of 
the crew who had embarked with the view of going to California. 
Various projects were proposed by them for thwarting the design 
of the expedition. No sure and decisive measure, however, pre- 
sented itself, except that of open opposition, — and then the ques- 



tion 's^as, whether we were sufficiently strong in point of num. 
bers. 

This question required a little consideration. After revolving 
the matter in our mind a day or so, it was finally resolved to make 
the attempt. It was determined that our party should wear their 
side-arms continually, in order that no suspicion might be excited 
when the opposition was about to be made. 

Our party drilled themselves constantly in the broad-sword ex- 
ercise,— the broad-sword being the weapon on which they mostly 
depended for the execution of their designs, — the muskets being 
deposited in one of the state-rooms immediately on the termination 
of each drill. Our plan was, to secure the state-room containing 
these weapons, and likewise to secure as many of the side-arms of 
the opposite party as could conveniently be done. 

When the drills were past some of this party ordinarily retained 
their side-arms, and others laid them away in such places as best 
suited their convenience. A great majority of them, therefore, 
were entirely unarmed except at the time of the drill. 

It was thought by our party, that by securing the state-room 
containing the muskets, and each man seizing as many of the arms 
of the opposite party as came within his reach, when we were about 
to make the attempt, there would be little resistance, and conse- 
quently but little loss of life. 

Such was our scheme. The time for putting into execution was 
fixed for the eighteenth of May, when it was expected that the 
ship would be off the coast of St. Jago de Cuba, and near the end 
of the voyage — or, rather, near the place of her destination. The 
attempt was to be made, also, at the hour of dinner. At that 
hour, we concluded, the energies of our opponents would be most 
universally relaxed. 

El Dorado was to be the watch-word. It was first to be sounded 
by the man who secured the state-room, — at the sound of Tthich 
every man was to look to his arms. 

The eighteenth of May at length arrived, — and already the 
crew were gazing on the town of St. Jago de Cuba in the distance. 
Dowers had been appointed to command our party, a man had 
been selected to secure the state-room, and each one had a position 
assigned to him. Every thing promised the most complete suc- 
cess. 

Bowers had enjoined upon me, that I should keep by his side 
until the affair was over. 

At the hour of dinner, each one of our party took the place as- 
signed him, and we did not wait long before the sound of El Do- 
rado sounded from the state-room, — the keys securing which were 
promptly thrown overboard. Simultaneously, each of our men seized 
such of the weapons of our opponents as came near to hand, and the 
sound of "El Dorado " was heard from all parts of the ship. 



The arms of our opponents which had been secured were also 
immediately thrown into the sea, — our party being sufficiently well 
armed without them. 

Our men then immediately ranged in order on the starboard side 
of the vessel, and the shouting of "El Dorado " startled our oppo- 
nents, and brought them also to the deck. On arriving there, and 
beholding us arranged in martial order, they looked at us with 
astonishment. Captain Bainbridge comprehended the matter at 
once. But the most of his own men were unarmed. He tried the 
state-room, but found it bolted and barred. He then waved his 
hand for his men to come aft. The -order was immediately obeyed, 
and seizing a hatchet, he ripped open a box which had been depo- 
sited on the quarter deck, and covered with canvass, and which^ 
imknown to us, was filled with side-arms. 

Each man seized a weapon, and thus in an instant, as it were, 
our opponents were mostly armed, and stood arrayed against us. 
It was now too late for us to retract, as the consequences would 
have been fatal. 

The eyefe of our party were now directed to Bowers, as if asking 
whether they should strike. The countenance of Mortimer, at this 
juncture, was thrilling in the extreme, I could only compare it 
to the Jupiter of Homer, when 

"He shakes his ambroisal curls m giving nod, 
The stamp of fate and sanction of a God." 

Bowers motioned his men forw^ard, and it was now '' Hand to 
hand, and steel to steel." 

Mortimer opposed himself to Captain Bainbridge, and after a few 
passes between them, Bainbridge had taken passage for Eternity. 
The battle now raged with the greatest fury. I kept by the side 
of Mortimer, as he had enjoined upon me, and I was more than 
once indebted to him for warding a blow, which would have been 
fatal to me. 

A comrade who fought next to me met with a fate which was so 
horrible in its nature, that the occurrence nearly unnerved me. 
He was attacked by two of our assailants, and becoming bewildered 
by their impetuosity, he lost his guard, and their weapons both took 
effect on him at the same time, — one passing through his body, and 
the other severing the head therefrom. 

The fight continued for about half an hour, when more than half 
the crew lay dead or dying upon the deck. The combatants began 
to grow weary, and their exhaustion, in connexion with the horrid 
scene about them, caused them to suspend their fury as if by mu- 
tual consent. v 

Our number was so extensively diminished by the conflict, that 
it would now have been considered the height of folly to meditate a 



descent upon tlie Island. It seemed to be the general wish, as 
expressed by the actions of the survivors, that the affray should 
be stopped. The weapons were therefore returned to the scab- 
board. 

Our attention was now directed to the wounded and the dying. 
The day was exceedingly hot, and the cries for water were incessant. 
Our stock on board was nearly exhausted, and we were under the 
necessity of procuring more from some source. To obtain it, it was 
necessary that some one should go on shore, it was also necessary 
that whoever ventured to go, should go entirely unarmed, — thereby 
assuming a pacific character. ' 

•A call was made for some one to volunteer his services. No one 
was found to offer, and it is a fact, that among the survivors of 
those who intended to take Cuba by force of arms, not one remain- 
ed who had sufficient courage to venture alone upon the land to ob- 
tain a supply of water. 

Bowers at length said he would go himself. It was therefore 
agreed that the vessel should be run in as near the land as could 
be done with safety, drop the anchor, and remain until the water 
could be brought on board. 

This arrangement being agreed upon, and the ship being brought 
to the proper station, one of the boats was launched, with the wa- 
ter casks, and Bowers and myself stepped into her. The wind 
being light and fair, we put up a sail, and run into the land. After 
some search, we discovered a spring, and were in the act of filling 
our casks when we espied that the ship had tripped her anchor and 
was in the act of moving off. 

We felt alarmed, but on casting our eyes to the westward, we 
discoYered the cause of this movement. A Spanish brigantine was 
bearing down upon the Henry Clay, and those on board having no 
ordnance mounted to defend themselves, were unwilling, under their 
present circumstances to come in too close contact with the Spa- 
niard, not knowing what he might be pleased to do. They had, 
therefore, concluded to take to their heels. 

Thus Mortimer and myself were deserted, and left to the mercy 
of those into whose hands we might chance to fall. The ship 
crowded all sail, and what with her speed, and the coming on of 
night, she was soon lost to- our sense of vision. 

We were now upon the Island without provisions of any kind, 
and neither of us understood the Spanish language. What was to 
be done ? The best policy appeared to be, to make our way in the 
direction of the town, and trust to fortune on our arrival at that 
place. 

On arriving at the town we sought a lodging for the night. The 
difficulty of making ourselves understood was some little hindrance, 
ftlthough we should have fared sufficiently well had not the brigan- 



tine sent word on shore that a vessel had been driven from the 
coast, and that the people of the town should be on the look-out. 
It was immediately inferred that we belonged to the strange ves- 
sel, and we were summoned into the presence of the chief magis- 
trate. The name of this magistrate we afterwards learned to be 
Don Martin Mandrillo. 

On being requested to give an account of ourselves, Bowers 
frankly stated every thing connected with our history, from the 
time of our embarkation at the port of New York. Our persons 
were then subjected to an examination, and, unluckily for us both, 
my sex was discovered. This circumstance bore hard againist us. 
They would listen to nothing which would tend to palliate what 
they considered to be a very grave offence, — and they considered, or 
pretended to consider, that those who were capable of falling into 
such things, were capable of others also, — and they imme%liately 
set us down as belonging to the expeditionagainst the Island, and 
consequently committed us to prison. 

The prison in which we were confined was in the basement of 
St. Andrew's church. Whethft- this place was originally intended 
as a jail or not, I am unable to say: certain it is, however, that it 
answered the purpose well, and is well supplied with the instru- 
ments of torture. 

We had obtained lodgings, but under circumstances, and in a 
place which was not calculated to excite in us any very agreeable 
feelings. We had no bed to repose on, except what the stone 
flagging of our cells afforded us. Our apartments were adjoining 
each other, and it was some consolation to hear the sound of each 
other's feet, as we paced to and fro for the want of a comfortable 
place to sit or lie. 

Wearied with the exercise, we at length sank down upon the 
pavement, and denuding ourselves of a portion of our garments for 
the purpose of forming a pillow, sought to forget the realities of 
our situation by taking as comfortable a nap as our situation would 
allow. 

Although we lay upon the stone pavement, we slept until awa- 
kened in the morning, hj our jailer throwing open the doors of our 
cells and calling us to rise. 

He told us that we were at liberty to walk in the room intc 
which our cells opened, — and that he would soon furnish us witk 
some breakfast. He retired, and we were left at liberty to examine 
the room in which he allowed us to walk. We examined that, and 
also examined the cells in which we had passed the night. We 
were firmly persuaded, from appearances, that all attempts to es- 
cape without some assistance from without, must be futile. The 
windows were small, and firmly secured with bars of iron. The 
walls of the prison also had iron bars extending across them, 
at the distance of about six inches apart. The floor was also 



guarded in the same way. We were thus emphatically iron- 
bound. 

In about an liour the jailer reappeared, bringing with him a mug 
of water, and a small loaf of brown bread. These he deposited on 
a small table standing on one side of the room, and then retired. 

At about three o'clock, P. M., we received another lunch of the 
same sort, and that was all the food we received through the day. 
At night we were again committed to the cells. 

This was the manner of our living, with little variation, until the 
finale of the descent at Cardenas had presented itself. After the 
invaders had been driven back from that point, and the prisoner's 
taken at Woman's Island, in connexion with the seizure of the 
Georgiana and the Susan Loud, we were destined to experience a 
change, the circumstances connected with which I am about to re- 
late. 

Early one morning, before our jailer had waited on us as was 
customary, we heard a bustle in the ante-chamber, seemingly caused 
by a number of persons passing about the room, and conversing 
with each other. -» 

Our breakfast was also introduced into our cells, — a departure 
from the custom which had previously been observed. 

At about the hour of ten, the doors of our. apartments opened, 
and we were ordered to come forth. On approaching the ante- 
chamber, we found it fitted up in the shape of an auditory. A 
number of persons were in attendance ; these, from their appear- 
ance and dress, we thought must constitute a portion of the prin- 
cipal citizens of the p5ce, — and among them was Don Martin 
^.landrillo, the magistrate into whose presence we had previously 
been introduced. 

A place had been fitted up in the form of a dock, in which, after 
the assembly had scrutinized us a few moments. Bowers was or- 
dered to stand. I was remanded back to my cell. 

Don Martin, with the assistance of those present, then proceeded 
to examine Bowers relating to the expedition, but was not able to 
elicit any thing more than he already knew. After the examina- 
tion. Bowers was manacled and conducted back to his apartment. 

I was then ordered to come forth and stand in the dock, and I 
passed an examination similar to that to which Bowers had been 
subjected. Nothing new was elicited from me. Irons were placed 
upon me, and I, also, was again incarcerated in the gloomy dun- 
geon. We knew not our future destiny. 

On the next succeeding morning we were again summoned into 
the ante-chamber, and were told that we must confess all we knew 
concerning the matter of the invasion, or submit ourselves to the 
tdrture. We both declared that we could communicate nothing 
more than had already been done. 

A small rope, drawn over a pully, was suspended from the ceil- 



ing, in the end of which rope was fastened a small hook, some- 
what resembling a fish-hook, except that the beard was wanting. 

We were now partially strangled, in order that the organ lingnse 
might protrude from the mouth. The tongue was then perforated 
with an awl, and the hooks attached to the ropes were inserted 
therein. The ropes were then drawn over the pullies, until thej 
became so tight that we were under the necessity of standing on 
tip-toe to prevent our weight from being wholly borne by the ton- 

They kept us in this position for about fifteen minutes, when they 
released us, and remanded us to the dungeon. 

A torture, on a par with the above, was inflicted every* day 
during the space of one whole week, — we being requested on each 
occasion to divulge whatever we knew, and on declaring that we 
knew nothing more than had already been communicated, the tor- 
ture was immediately applied. 

In order that my reader may know, or form an idea of the na- 
ture of the Cuban Spaniard, I shall describe each torture sepa- 
rately. 

On the second day, instead of one, there were four hooks at- 
tached to the rope, and one hook was inserted in each shoulder, 
and one in each hip, and thus we were suspended by these hooks, 
with our faces downward, until our persecutors were pleased to re- 
lieve us from the torment, — and this because we refused to com- 
municate concerning a matter on which we were entirely igno- 
rant. ! 

On tlie third day we were suspended by the hair, and left to 
dangle until our persecutors were satisfied. 

On the fourth day we were hung up with the head downwards, 
and sufi"ered to remain a while in that position. 

On the fifth we were scourged with a bundle of red hot wires. 

And on the sixth, and last day, we were brought forth with 
great solemnity, — a Catholic priest being in attendance. The 
commands were now more particularly directed to Bowers, and he 
was ordered to confess what he knew, or this was to be the last day 
of his life. Bowers solemnly protested that he knew nothing more 
to communicate than had already been told. 

He was then ordered to stand on a small platform, immediately 
in front of what appeared to be the image of a beautiful virgin. 
He was then told, that as he had a particular fancy for the ladies, 
as was evident from the fact that he had induced me to elope with 
him from my native country, he should have the privilege of em- 
bracing the beautiful im-age before him : and he was commanded to 
do so. Bowers leaned forward to obey the command, when lo ! I 
was horror-struck at beholding the image raise its arms for the* 
purpose of returning the embrace, and in the place of what should 
have been its arms, two sharp instruments, in the shape of sickles^ 



presented themselves, and clasped the body of Mortimer in their 
embrace. Bowers writhed in agony, but all to no purpose. I was 
struck dumb. ^ 

The image continued to tighten its embrace, until the body of 
Mortimer fell, in four separate pieces, upon the floor. 

I had no further recollection until I awoke, as if from a dream,^ 
and found myself in my dungeon. It was some time before I could 
collect my thoughts, — but when I had been able to do so, the scene 
which I had witnessed was depicted to me in all its horrors. I 
now had no wish to live ; in reality, I sincerely desired that my 
tormentors would put me also to death. 

I was now suffered to remain both day and night incarcerated in 
the cell, and no further notice seemed to be taken of me, other 
than to furnish me with my daily allowance of bread and water. 

After remaining in this condition for some days, I was surprised 
one afternoon to see the door of my cell open, and a lady, in com- 
pany with the man who had acted as interpreter on former occa- 
sions, enter. 

This lady introduced herself to me as Senora Mandrillo, the wife 
of Don Martin. She had heard of my case through the medium 
of her husband, and, it appears, her sympathies had been some- 
what excited. She therefore wished to see and converse with me. 
I related to her my whole history without reserve, and concluded 
by beseeching her to interpose in my behalf. 

After hearing my story, she seemed for a while to be absorbed 
in thought, but finally promised that she would endeavour to ame- 
liorate my condition. She then left me. • * 

On the third day after the above interview, at about the time of 
night-fall, the same lady again entered my apartment, with a fe- 
male attendant. 

She immediately ordered the attendant female to take off her 
outer garment, and requesting me also to undress, desired me to 
dress in the garment of which the other female had disrobed her- 
self. She then threw over my head the scarf vfhich her attendant 
had worn, and ordered me to follow lier^ — the attendant?^remaining 
behind in the cell. 

We passed through the ante-chamber without exciting the sus- 
picion of the jailer. On arriving outside, we found the Senora' s 
carriage in waiting. 

We set off in the direction of San Salvador, at which place we 
arrived in the course of a couple of hours. At this place the lady 
had engaged a small boat to convey me down the river to an Eng- 
lish vessel which was then lying in the bay, and bound for Balti- 
more. 

, By accelerating our movements, I found myself before the break 
of day safely shipped on board the brig Falmouth, and secure from 
the apprehension of any further insult or torture from the Spaniards. 



Early in the morning our vessel weighed anchor, and after clear* 
ing Gape Cruz, stood to the eastward. As we run along the 
southern coast, w6 ran so near the land that I had an oppor- 
tunity of taking a farewell view of the town of St. Jago de Cuba, 
a town not likely soon to be forgotten by me. 

Our vessel now stood out through the windward passage, between 
the. Islands of Cuba and St. Domingo, and I soon found myself 
again upon the waters of the Atlantic. Nothing of note transpired 
during our voyage. We entered the port of Baltimore on the 15th 
July, 1850. 

As already stated, the relation at Baltimore of my adventure, 
excited so great a degree of interest, that I was induced to make 
the matter public, by presenting it in the form of a book. I know 
not that it is my duty to moralize on the subject, and, therefore, I 
shall leave my readers mostly to their own reflections. 

I would merely say, in conclusion, that, perhaps, had there been 
a little more discretion exercised, both by my parents and myself, 
I might have been spared my sufferings, and matters, at the present 
time, would be more agreeable for us both, and I would remind both 
the old and the young, that it is as necessary now as formerly, to 
observe the old adage — 

"look before you leap." 

I now only seek to retire from the world, and to spend my days 
in seclusion. Since the death of Bowers, I shall wait with pa- 
tience for that coming eternity in which I hope to meet with him 
in that happy state in which sorrow is never known. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

■HP.! 

007 299 098 5 ^ 




